MANILA: Islamist militants have beheaded two Vietnamese sailors held hostage for eight months in the southern Philippines, the military said on Wednesday. "This is a desperate measure of the Abu Sayyaf Group because they see they have no gains from their kidnap-for-ransom activity," Petinglay told AFP. Abu Sayyaf militants are holding a total of 22 hostages, including 16 foreigners, according to Petinglay. The Abu Sayyaf is known to behead its hostages unless ransom payments are made. Last year, the group beheaded two Canadian hostages.

Source: New Strait Times July 05, 2017 04:07 UTC